reason en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
- [ˈɹʷɪi̯zən] ~ [ˈɹʷɪi̯zn̩]
- /ˈɹiːzən/
Etymology
From Middle English resoun, reson, from Anglo-Norman raisun (Old French raison), from Latin ratiō, from ratus, past participle of reor (“reckon”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂reh₁- (“to think”), reanalysed root of *h₂er- (“to put together”). Displaced native Middle English reden (found in compounds), from Old English rǣden (“condition, stipulation, calculation, direction”), from the same Proto-Indo-European source (compare West Frisian reden (“reason”), Dutch reden (“reason”)). Doublet of ration and ratio.
Meanings
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(countable, uncountable) A cause: ▸ That which causes something: an efficient cause, a proximate cause.
The reason this tree fell is that it had rotted.
There is a reason why so many should be symmetrical: The selective advantage in a symmetrical complex is enjoyed by all the subunits[…]
1996, Daniel Clement Dennett, Darwin’s Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life, page 198:
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(countable, uncountable) A cause: ▸ A motive for an action or a determination.
This is the reason why he proposes to offer a libation, to atone for the abuse of the day by their diversions.
1806, Anonymous, Select Notes to Book XXI, in, Alexander Pope, translator, The Odyssey of Homer, volume 6 (London, F.J. du Roveray), page 37The reason I robbed the bank was that I needed the money.
He made reason with his boss about taking a day off.
If you don't give me a reason to go with you, I won't.
Ralph Touchett, for reasons best known to himself, had seen fit to say that Gilbert Osmond was not a good fellow[…]
1908, Henry James, chapter 10, in The Portrait of a Lady (The Novels and Tales of Henry James), New York edition, volume (please specify |volume=I or II), Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, →OCLC; republished as The Portrait of a Lady (EBook #283), United States: Project Gutenberg, 1 September 2001:
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(countable, uncountable) A cause: ▸ An excuse: a thought or a consideration offered in support of a determination or an opinion; that which is offered or accepted as an explanation.
I have forgotten the reason he gave for not travelling by air. I felt sure that it was not the correct reason, and that he suffered from a heart trouble which he kept to himself.
1966, Graham Greene, The Comedians, Penguin Classics, →ISBN, page 14:
- (countable, uncountable) A cause: ▸ A premise placed after its conclusion.
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(uncountable) Rational thinking (or the capacity for it); the cognitive faculties, collectively, of conception, judgment, deduction and intuition.
Mankind should develop reason above all other virtues.
The [Isaac] Newton that emerges from the [unpublished] manuscripts is far from the popular image of a rational practitioner of cold and pure reason. The architect of modern science was himself not very modern. He was obsessed with alchemy.
2014 June 21, “Magician’s brain”, in The Economist, volume 411, number 8892:The tremendous tragedy in which he had been involved - it was evident he was a fugitive from Weybridge - had driven him to the very verge of his reason.
1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 113:And the specific distinction between man and beast is now, strictly speaking, no longer reason (the lumen naturale of the human animal) but science[…]
1970, Hannah Arendt, On Violence, →ISBN, page 62:
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(countable, obsolete, uncountable) Something reasonable, in accordance with thought; justice.
16th century Edmund Spenser, Lines on his Promised Pension I was promised, on a time, To have reason for my rhyme.
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(countable, obsolete, uncountable) Ratio; proportion.
[I]f two Quantities repreſented by the Numbers 20 and 4 be compared, by dividing the Antecedent 20 by the Conſequent 4, the Quotient is 5; but inverting the Terms, by dividing 4 by 20 the Quotient is #92;tfrac#123;4#125;#123;20#125;#61;#92;tfrac#123;1#125;#123;5#125;. By which Quotients are declared the Geometrical Reaſons of the propoſed Quantities, becauſe if the Quotient found be multiplied by the Conſequent, the Product is equal to the Antecedent; for in the former Compariſon 5#92;times4#61;20, in the latter #92;tfrac#123;1#125;#123;5#125;#92;times20#61;4; as Things again are referred to Equality.
1734, Isaac Barrow, “Lecture XVII. Of the Names and Diversities of the Twofold Kind of Reason or Proportion, viz. Arithmetical and Geometrical”, in John Kirkby, transl., The Usefulness of Mathematical Learning Explained and Demonstrated: Being Mathematical Lectures Read in the Publick Schools at the University of Cambridge. […], London: […] Stephen Austen, […], →OCLC, pages 323–324:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| reasons | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
age of reason · for some reason · rhyme or reason · for no good reason · subreason · 13th reason · reasonless · by reason of · thirteenth reason why · misreason · in reason · have reason · for XYZ reasons · unreason · one will know the reason why · there is reason in the roasting of eggs · reason piece · voice of reason · instrumental reason · thirteenth reason · principle of sufficient reason · for one reason or another · practical reason · nonreason · transreason · with reason · law of sufficient reason · reasonous · antireason · rule of reason · counterreason · within reason · stand to reason · rhyme nor reason · everything happens for a reason · principle of insufficient reason · beyond reason of a doubt · reasonist · compassionate reason · beyond a reason of a doubt · with good reason
Relateds
unreasonable · reasonability · reasonable · unreasonably · unreasonableness · reasonably · unreasonability · reasonableness
Synonyms
occasion · excuse (thought offered in support) · motive (motive for an action) · occasion · that which causes · rationale (motive for an action) · occasion · occasion
Translations (313)
bn কারণ (that which causes: a cause) · de Grund (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · bg разсъ́дък ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · lo ເຫດຜົນ (that which causes: a cause) · pam sangkan (that which causes: a cause) · el λόγος (that which causes: a cause) · sk rozum ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ajp سبب (that which causes: a cause) · fi järki ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · es razón (that which causes: a cause) · cs rozum ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sv anledning (that which causes: a cause) · hu indíték (motive for an action or determination) · ka მიზეზი (that which causes: a cause) · got 𐍆𐍂𐌰𐌸𐌹 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · fi tolkku ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · my ဟိတ် (that which causes: a cause) · tr sebep (motive for an action or determination) · sga adbar (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ja 理性 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sh rȁzūm ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · uk до́від (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · hu értelem ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sh ра́злог (that which causes: a cause) · pl powód (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · vec motivo (motive for an action or determination) · eo racieco ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · he הִגָּיוֹן ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · cu разоумъ ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ps دليل (that which causes: a cause) · kk себеп (that which causes: a cause) · pl powód (motive for an action or determination) · ka მიზეზი (motive for an action or determination) · nl reden (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ta காரணம் (that which causes: a cause) · hi कारण (that which causes: a cause) · ko 리유 (that which causes: a cause) · nb fornuft ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · fro reson ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ga fáth (motive for an action or determination) · hy բանականություն ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ota ادراك ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ca excusa (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · pt razão (that which causes: a cause) · kmr semed (that which causes: a cause) · de Ursache (that which causes: a cause) · hy դրդապատճառ (motive for an action or determination) · ota هوش ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · hu gondolkodás ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · vi lý trí ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sv grund (motive for an action or determination) · yue 原因 (motive for an action or determination) · ru причи́на (that which causes: a cause) · eo kialo (that which causes: a cause) · de Intellekt ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · vi lý do (that which causes: a cause) · cmn 原因 (that which causes: a cause) · it causa (that which causes: a cause) · nl oorzaak (that which causes: a cause) · sv förstånd ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ru ра́зум ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · it perché (that which causes: a cause) · km សាហេតុ (that which causes: a cause) · cmn 理由 (motive for an action or determination) · bg ра́зум ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · la causa ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sv anledning (motive for an action or determination) · nl reden (that which causes: a cause) · ga ciall ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · fa-ira دَلیل (that which causes: a cause) · mn шалтгаан (that which causes: a cause) · ro motiv (motive for an action or determination) · ngh ǃʻama (that which causes: a cause) · is ástæða (that which causes: a cause) · pt causa (that which causes: a cause) · ro cauză (that which causes: a cause) · eo kialo (motive for an action or determination) · tg далел (that which causes: a cause) · da grund (motive for an action or determination) · bg оправда́ние (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ba аҡыл ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · az səbəb (that which causes: a cause) · fr raison (that which causes: a cause) · be прычы́на (that which causes: a cause) · rsk причина (that which causes: a cause) · cs důvod (motive for an action or determination) · fr raison (motive for an action or determination) · hu ok (that which causes: a cause) · ru по́вод (motive for an action or determination) · ru резо́н (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ms alasan (that which causes: a cause) · sk dôvod (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · it motivo (motive for an action or determination) · sv grund (that which causes: a cause) · et põhjus (that which causes: a cause) · mk при́чина (that which causes: a cause) · sv förnuft ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · vi nguyên nhân (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ngh kxʼuki (that which causes: a cause) · grc λογισμός ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ca motiu (that which causes: a cause) · ca motiu (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · th เหตุผล ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · la ratiō (motive for an action or determination) · ms sebab (that which causes: a cause) · id alasan (motive for an action or determination) · eo racio ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ja 思慮 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sv motiv (motive for an action or determination) · kk ақыл-парасат ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · hu ész ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · fi tekosyy (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ceb rason (that which causes: a cause) · mn учир (that which causes: a cause) · ru моти́в (motive for an action or determination) · vi lý do (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ka საბაბი (motive for an action or determination) · ka გონება ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · mhr амал (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · kmr sedem (that which causes: a cause) · ka საბაბი (that which causes: a cause) · ky себеп (that which causes: a cause) · tr neden (motive for an action or determination) · th สาเหตุ (that which causes: a cause) · ga ábhar (motive for an action or determination) · av сабаб (that which causes: a cause) · ur سَبَب (that which causes: a cause) · ar عَقْل ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · grc αἰτία (motive for an action or determination) · it ragione (that which causes: a cause) · bg моти́в (motive for an action or determination) · cmn 理智 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · hi बाइस (that which causes: a cause) · nl reden (motive for an action or determination) · la ratio ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · de Verstand ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ar سَبَب (that which causes: a cause) · as কাৰণ (that which causes: a cause) · pl racja (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ga ábhar (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · hy պատճառ (that which causes: a cause) · szl prziczyna (that which causes: a cause) · eu arrazoi (that which causes: a cause) · km ករណី (that which causes: a cause) · ota عقل ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ga fáth (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · cs příčina (that which causes: a cause) · ru причи́на (motive for an action or determination) · hu indok (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ga ábhar (that which causes: a cause) · fr raison (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · id sebab (that which causes: a cause) · it pretesa (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · tr açıklama (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ug سەۋەب (that which causes: a cause) · ru резо́н (motive for an action or determination) · el λόγος ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sv orsak (that which causes: a cause) · nb årsak (that which causes: a cause) · oc rason (that which causes: a cause) · vec scuxa (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · cmn 原因 (motive for an action or determination) · sl razlog (that which causes: a cause) · ur وَجَہ (that which causes: a cause) · ja 理由 (that which causes: a cause) · sip རྐྱེན (that which causes: a cause) · fr cause (that which causes: a cause) · sv skäl (motive for an action or determination) · la causa (that which causes: a cause) · nl rede ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · tr neden (that which causes: a cause) · az əsas (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · lld rejon ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sv skäl (that which causes: a cause) · cmn 理由 (that which causes: a cause) · sh rázlog (that which causes: a cause) · cmn 理性 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · yue 理由 (motive for an action or determination) · ml -കൊണ്ട് (that which causes: a cause) · fr raison ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ca raó (that which causes: a cause) · es causa (that which causes: a cause) · fa-ira سَبَب (that which causes: a cause) · pt razão ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · be ра́цыя (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · yue 理由 (that which causes: a cause) · ja 理致 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · grc αἰτία (that which causes: a cause) · sq arsye (that which causes: a cause) · ko 원인 (that which causes: a cause) · el δικαιολογία (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · sq arsye ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ca motiu (motive for an action or determination) · ota علت (that which causes: a cause) · sk príčina (that which causes: a cause) · fur reson ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · fro raison ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ja 原因 (that which causes: a cause) · ny chifukwa (that which causes: a cause) · gl razón ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · got 𐌷𐌿𐌲𐍃 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · cs důvod (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · kmr sebeb (that which causes: a cause) · it ragione ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ru рассу́док ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ml കാരണം (that which causes: a cause) · arz سبب (that which causes: a cause) · pl rozum ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · tr akıl ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · it scusa (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · sh ùzrok (that which causes: a cause) · ko 이유 (that which causes: a cause) · it ragione (motive for an action or determination) · ga réasún ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ps سبب (that which causes: a cause) · fa عقل ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · tt сәбәп (that which causes: a cause) · ba сәбәп (that which causes: a cause) · fi syy (motive for an action or determination) · sk dôvod (that which causes: a cause) · mhr амал (that which causes: a cause) · pt motivo (that which causes: a cause) · id motif (motive for an action or determination) · ga fáth (that which causes: a cause) · th เหตุผล (that which causes: a cause) · ru основа́ние (motive for an action or determination) · el λογική ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · tl rason (that which causes: a cause) · ast razón ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · uk ро́зум ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · he סיבה \ סִבָּה (that which causes: a cause) · id alasan (that which causes: a cause) · lv saprāts ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · is orsök (that which causes: a cause) · hi सबब (that which causes: a cause) · be слу́шнасць (something reasonable) · xag 𐕗𐔰𐕊𐔰𐕙 (that which causes: a cause) · ur باعِث (that which causes: a cause) · yue 道理 (motive for an action or determination) · az bəhanə (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · sga adbar (motive for an action or determination) · yue 原因 (that which causes: a cause) · pri mäjoro (that which causes: a cause) · gl razón (that which causes: a cause) · sl rázum ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ro rațiune (motive for an action or determination) · it ragione (something reasonable) · crh sebep (that which causes: a cause) · ca causa (that which causes: a cause) · da årsag (that which causes: a cause) · tr sebep (that which causes: a cause) · lv cēlonis (that which causes: a cause) · sh у̀зрок (that which causes: a cause) · oc rason ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ur وَجَہْ (that which causes: a cause) · ru ум ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · tg сабаб (that which causes: a cause) · sga adbar (that which causes: a cause) · de Vernunft ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · bg причи́на (that which causes: a cause) · fi syy (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · pl przyczyna (that which causes: a cause) · km ហេតុ (that which causes: a cause) · ro rațiune ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sl vzrok (that which causes: a cause) · fi syy (that which causes: a cause) · ang intinga (that which causes: a cause) · sk dôvod (motive for an action or determination) · ota سبب (that which causes: a cause) · ro pricină (that which causes: a cause) · th เหตุ (that which causes: a cause) · tk sebäp (that which causes: a cause) · bg основа́ние (motive for an action or determination) · hy պատճառաբանություն (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · ru до́вод (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · el λόγος (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · uk причи́на (that which causes: a cause) · cmn 理致 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · de Grund (motive for an action or determination) · lt priežastis (that which causes: a cause) · lo ສາເຫດ (that which causes: a cause) · hy պատճառ (motive for an action or determination) · ko 이치 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ca raó ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · pt motivo (motive for an action or determination) · id beralasan (something reasonable) · vec rexon ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · be ро́зум ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · es razón ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · sq shkak (that which causes: a cause) · de Grund (that which causes: a cause) · hi वजह (that which causes: a cause) · uz sabab (that which causes: a cause) · ht rezon ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ko 이성 ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · vi nguyên nhân (that which causes: a cause) · ru резо́нность (something reasonable) · uk ра́ція (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · vec raxon ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · bg аргуме́нт (something reasonable) · sga accuis (that which causes: a cause) · nb grunn (that which causes: a cause) · sh ра̏зӯм ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · da grund (that which causes: a cause) · fi kohtuus (something reasonable) · ml യുക്തി ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ru по́вод (excuse, explanation: thought or consideration offered in support of a determination) · nl grond (that which causes: a cause) · nb grunn (motive for an action or determination) · izh tolkku ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · da fornuft ((the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking) · ja 理由 (motive for an action or determination) · vec rexon (that which causes: a cause)